Has anyone upgraded their preamp with V-caps?

Unclejeff,

I've been surprised that the more I upgrade my system, the more audible becomes even very small changes. Small incremental changes can make large perceived differences in a high calibre system. Perhaps the Law of Diminishing Returns needs adjustment.

Another approach is to ask the hard question, does an audio system make the music sound real? However good a system, the answer will always be no. When making an upgrade the question becomes, how much closer does this upgrade take the system toward realism? If the system is already at 9/10s, a movement of .5 (or 50% of the remaining gap) is significant. I see the problem more in terms of Zeno's Paradox than the Law of Diminishing returns. And I bet this psychological need for unobtainium is at the root of most high-end buying. The psyche registers percentage improvement as percentage of remaining gap to be closed.

Sherod, IMO if you are going thru the trouble and expense of replacing the coupling caps, do yourself a favor and put the good stuff in. Its not that much more!

I agree Atmasphere. I might as well go for the best. Why take 2nd best for such a critical coupling position, right?

Sherod,
I totally agree with Atmasphere. Why put in 2nd best, save a few bucks and keep on wondering whow the sound would be if you would have installed the v-cap. Put your mind at ease, put in the v-caps and enjoy your music!
As I said earlier, the V-cap in my tweeter XO is magic and it will show you how much lesser caps, even Mundorf silver/gold do harm to the signal!
regards
Michael

This is an old thread, but still a resource. I wanted to do a follow up. The V-caps, particularly the copper foil, Teflon caps are indeed remarkable. The add clarity to the Nth degree. After over ten years with mine, used as coupling capacitors on my EAR 864, I began to realize that my preamp was not gelling with several of my speakers. Namely the JMR Bliss Silvers, and later the Joseph Audio Pulsars. 

 

I could not understand why they both sounded so hot in the upper midrange. Also, guitars sounded thinner, especially rock guitar. Snare drums too. 

 

After much tube rolling and amp rolling, I finally considered changing the coupling capacitors. After some research I settled on Miflex KPCU, a Paper, Oil, Wax and Copper foil capacitor. What I got was a much more balanced frequency response. The low mids were fuller. Tonality was more fleshed out and natural. What wasn't lost were the spatial cues, micro-dynamics and clarity afforded by the V-Cap. It was a massive upgrade. 

 

After the upgrade, I was able to roll tubes with more success. I got the full flavor of the tubes, and I am now reassessing the quality of my preamp. It has gotten quite good. I was thinking about buying a new one. 

For perspective on my perspective, I primarily listen to European Jazz and Classical. We are addicted to seeing the Chicago and Milwaukee Symphonies about 15 times a year. I also used to have a recording studio, back in the 90s. I am also a musician for the whole of my adult life (60year old). I have a strong, developed perception of natural sound. 

 

I have also put V-caps in a vintage Eico HF-86, and though I haven't touched that one yet, I do recall a similar thinning of the tone. That will be my next move. 

 

Since this thread was started, there have been a number of innovations in the HiFi capacitors market. I've noticed that Backert is now using the Teflon caps in their power supplies, but oil caps in their signal path. Miflex has had much success, and Jupiter has enjoyed a lot of success with their modern take on a vintage capacitor. Innovation is good for the audio pursuit. I am looking forward to experimenting with several. Maybe my old Audio research VT-60...